We can provide you with all of your fire risk assessment requirements.
The responsible person for the premises (usually the employer, owner or occupier) needs to carry out this assessment or appoint a competent person to carry it out on their behalf.
Find Out MoreThe Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 require a health and safety risk assessment to be conducted on a regular basis in order to ensure that the health and safety of residents and visitors...
Find Out MoreAs a large fire has broken out across residential flats in West London, it is worth reiterating the importance of fire risk assessment for these types of buildings.
Communal areas — corridors, stairwells, lobbies, entrance halls, meter cupboards and shared storage spaces — are critical parts of a residential building’s fire-safety strategy. These are the routes residents rely on to escape and the areas firefighters depend on to access the building. A thorough fire risk assessment ensures these spaces remain safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must assess and manage fire risks in the common parts of residential buildings. Updated guidance from the Home Office confirms that this includes the building’s structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced further duties, especially for buildings over 11m and high-rise blocks, including checks on fire doors, firefighting equipment, signage, and information sharing with fire and rescue services.
Failing to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment can lead to enforcement action, prosecution, and significant financial penalties.
Communal areas must remain clear, protected, and smoke-free for as long as possible during a fire. Government guidance for small blocks of flats emphasises that responsible persons must ensure these areas are assessed and maintained to support safe evacuation.
A proper assessment identifies:
Obstructions in escape routes
Combustible items stored in corridors
Faulty or missing fire doors
Damaged compartmentation
Even small fires in communal areas can spread rapidly, endangering residents and blocking escape routes. London Fire Brigade data shows 281 fires in communal areas in 2022 alone, highlighting the ongoing risk.
Fire risk assessments help prevent the most common causes of fires in shared spaces, including:
Charging or storing e-bikes and scooters
Accumulation of rubbish or furniture
Faulty lighting or electrical installations
Arson risks in unsecured areas
The London Fire Brigade warns that even small fires in communal areas can cause major damage, mass displacement, and high financial costs for landlords and insurers.
Communal areas are used by everyone, including children, elderly residents, and people with mobility issues. Updated government guidance for purpose-built flats stresses the need for responsible persons to identify risks specific to their building and occupants.
A good fire risk assessment ensures:
Escape routes are accessible
Fire doors close and latch properly
Signage is clear and visible
Lighting supports safe evacuation
High-rise and multi-occupied buildings now require:
Floor plans
External wall information
Wayfinding signage
Checks on firefighting lifts and equipment
These measures, introduced through the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, help firefighters navigate the building quickly and safely.
A fire risk assessment ensures these requirements are met and maintained.
The economic impact of a communal-area fire can be severe. The average cost of a domestic fire in London was estimated at over £48,000 — and this figure is likely conservative when factoring in inflation, displacement, and repairs.
A proactive assessment reduces the likelihood of:
Major structural damage
Insurance claims and premium increases
Rehousing costs
Legal action from residents
For landlords, managing agents, and housing providers, a well-documented fire risk assessment shows:
Compliance with UK fire-safety law
Commitment to resident safety
Proper management of communal areas
A proactive approach to risk reduction
This is essential for reputation, accountability, and long-term building safety.
A fire risk assessment in the communal areas of flats is not just a legal obligation — it is a vital safeguard that protects lives, property, and the integrity of the building. With updated legislation and increasing risks such as e-bike fires, regular assessments are more important than ever.
Please email Whale Fire @ info@whalefire.co.uk or use our enquiry form here Contact Us - Whale Fire
To date, Whale Fire have carried out fire safety risk assessments at a number of our premises in central London and also at Gatwick, Southend and Bristol Airports. Richard provides us with a prompt, reliable and efficient service and I would be happy to recommend his services.
MoneyCorp - Ian Silverstone - Facilities & Premises Manager
Whale Fire completed a fire risk assessment and extinguisher installation on our training centre in Southwark. I found their service to be prompt and efficient as well as aware of the needs and restrictions of our site. They were quick to respond to our needs, despite delays from our end, the service was friendly throughout and they replaced only the necessary equipment. The risk assessment itself was detailed and has formed a large part of our on going risk assessments for the site. Construction Youth Trust will unquestionably use Whale Fire again.
Construction Youth Trust - George Dunstall - London & South East Manager
We used Whale Fire for our Fire Risk Assessment and their service was excellent. They took time to understand our business and explained the reasoning behind their recommendations. We will be using Whale Fire again and highly recommend them.
Alfra TV – Helen
Whale Fire Ltd has provided EastendHomes Ltd with a comprehensive batch of Fire Risk Assessments. Each assessment is unique and is site specific. Whale Fire Ltd has worked tirelessly to work within our deadlines offering valuable critic on document layout and fire safety matters. The Fire Risk Assessments are evaluated by our scrutiny panel – which we receive positive feedback. I feel Richard (Whale) is always there to discuss and advise on any matters relating to the Fire Risk Assessments and other fire related issues. His service has been professional and supportive. We are committed to ensure our residents are safe, and that we comply to the RRO(FS) 2005, and with Whale Fire's assistance this is being achieved.
East End Homes (Tower Hamlets) - Keiron Carroll - Housing Officer
We called Whale Fire after having used them for some Fire risk assessments to look at aspects of our testing and extinguishers and found them very professional and helpful with information on Fire alarms and how to test call points etc.
I would recommend them anytime.
Mark Rudling H&S Manager Wilcomatic.
The service from Whale Fire was professional, efficient and thorough. Great value for money for a well qualified and high quality Fire Risk Assessment. Our needs and considerations were taken into account and the assessor conducted a detailed and fair survey without disrupting the day-to-day work of the office. Highly recommended as a professional company.
Amy Johnson - Spectrum Enforcement Support Officer - Ofcom
I required the services of a professional assessor for a fire risk assessment on a new property for use as my private fitness facility. Richard was the first personal to contact me and his professionalism right from the start was excellent. He assisted me step by step through the process and has answered all questions relating to the procedure. Extremely professional - Thank you
Joel – Performance 18 Gym - NW London
Whale Fire are currently carrying out fire risk assessments across our residential portfolio. The reports are all site specific, easy to read and provide clear recommendations when further action is required. Richard (Whale) is both friendly and professional, and always happy to provide further advice when needed. I would not hesitate to recommend his company - they provide clarity and reassurance in a potential minefield for residential landlords.
Anna Nicholls - Marston Properties
We are extremely happy with the service provided by Whale Fire, and in particular the Fire Risk Assessment we were presented with. The service from start to finish has been exemplary and on a professional, knowledgeable, yet friendly level. We requested our Assessment at very short notice and Whale Fire were more than happy to fulfil our request and presented us with an exceptional report which was detailed and clear to understand. We would highly recommend Whale Fire and will be using their services in future".
Stacey – Scaffold UK Limited
Whale Fire were bought in to do a fire risk assessment on our new warehouse. The gentleman that visited our site was professional and most importantly very informative in everything he was explaining.
This helped greatly in guiding us in taking step to ensure our workers are safe. 10/10 - Would use again. Thank you for all the help Richard.
Luke